RELIEF SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 5

RELIEF SCHEME.

NEW ARRANGEMENTS. COMPLETE IN A FORTNIGHT. "NONE TO GO SHORT." j STATEMENT OF MR. COATES. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Brief reference to the new system of relief work which is to be introduced shortly was made by Mr. Coates in the House last night. He said the question was whether the "dole" should be resorted to, or whether every effort should bo made to provide work. Such work, according to the Labour party, should be paid for at standard rates. Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central): Trade union rates. Mr. Coates said some members of the Labour party seemed to be uncertain on that point. The Government did not think the country should adopt the li dole" system that Great Britain had taken up, and it believed that where there was work it must bo provided before sustenance was found. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttclton): And if there is no work ? The 31 blister: We have not reached that stage here. Cost of Sustenance. He added that if sustenance were to be paid in terms of the original section of the Act to the present registered unemployed, the cost would be well over £5,000,000 annually. That was apart altogether from p'ublic works expenditure, and, apart from the principle involved, he believed the people wanted work, and he had always maintained it was only a small percentage that was really unemployable. The country had to make up its mind which was the proper course to follow. The Government had declared it would see that no one starved, and steps had been taken completely to reorganise the system of registration, so that the Government would be in a position to see that no man, woman or child was allowed to go short of food or raiment. It would take a fortnight to complete those arrangements, and the statement covering them would be made later on. Labour Members: No good.

Married Men and Families. The Minister said that if work were available for married men in the country they should be prepared to undertake it, provided arrangements were made to look after their families. He agreed that married men should not be separated from their families if possible. Wages could not be at standard rates'. That was definite. The work that would be provided would be an improvement on present conditions. A Member: How would you like to be separated from your family? _ # The Minister: I have been. This is nothing less than war, it is economic war, and it demands a tremendous amount of sacrifice from everybody.